Gov money: Millions spent by DeWine, Taylor in heated primary race

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine spent $4.9 million and Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor spent $1.9 million trying to knock each other down and promote their own chances of winning the Republican nomination for governor in the May 8 primary, according to campaign finance reports filed Thursday.

On top of that, DeWine received $613,400 in help from the Ohio Republican Party and Taylor benefited from support from a federal super PAC, Onward Ohio. The PAC spent $1.56-million and raised $874,300 so far this cycle, according to OpenSecrets.org. Most of the donations came from the Independence and Freedom Network, based in Washington, D.C.

Taylor’s report shows her spending on par with DeWine, but that’s because she repaid a $3 million loan she made earlier in the campaign and then reissued the loan this spring.

Meanwhile, in the six-man Democratic primary race, former Attorney General Richard Cordray spent $1.7-million rebuilding his profile after a seven year absence from the Ohio political scene. His chief rival, former Congressman Dennis Kucinich, spent $317,372, largely on yard signs, mailings and consultants.

On both sides of the aisle, candidates are blowing precious resources —nearly $9 million combined — against primary opponents and will need to replenish the cash to compete in the November general election.

The pre-primary reports show fundraising and spending between Jan. 1 and April 18. For committees that didn’t file annual reports, the activity window covers Dec. 8, 2017 to April 18.